IN the wake of King Charles' recent treatment for an enlarged prostate, a free testing event is being held in the Derek Mead Health Room at Sedgemoor Auction Centre on Saturday, February 24.

The test, which must be booked in advance, is available for men between 40 and 80 and is funded by the Derek Mead Health Room charity and Bridgwater Agricultural Society.

The session will run from 9.30am to 11.30am in the Quantock Hall at the Junction 24 centre, North Petherton.

Prostate cancer is the most common type of male cancer, with more than 45,000 cases diagnosed in the UK every year.

The chances of developing prostate cancer increase as you get older. The condition mainly affects men over 65, although men over 50 are also at risk.

It is understood the King was keen to share the news of his diagnosis - which wasn't cancerous - to encourage more men to undergo testing if they are experiencing problems.

An enlarged prostate can cause difficulty passing urine or emptying the bladder. However, some men experience no symptoms at all.

The Derek Mead Health Room offers free health advice on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 9am to 1pm.

It was opened in memory of Mr Mead, who owned and built Sedgemoor Auction Centre, which opened in January 2008.

Staffed by an NHS nurse, the room provides for the health and emotional needs of farmers and others using Sedgemoor Auction Centre.

Mr Mead’s daughter, Katherine Hawke, said: “Dad was very passionate about the farming community so it is very fitting that we provide health care in his memory.

"Our prostate testing morning at Sedgemoor is just the start of our many planned health initiatives under the Derek Health Room charity along with Bridgwater Agricultural Society.

"Our aim is to help our farmers and country folk look after themselves. The day also coincides with what would have been Dad’s 77th birthday week.”

Numbers using the health room continue to increase, with 471 people visiting between October and December 2023, up from 192 in 2022. The average age of attendees is 57, with men outnumbering women four to one.

To book for a test on Saturday, February 24, visit mypsatests.org.uk or ring Peter Hopwood on 01458 441669 or 07464 873214 by 6pm on Thursday, February 22.